New V8 Supercars team Volvo confident of proving critics wrong at Albert Park

Volvo team boss Garry Rogers is out to prove his squad's impressive debut in V8 Supercars was no fluke when racing resumes at the formula one grand prix in Melbourne on Friday.

Even though the V8 Supercars will take back seat to open-wheelers at Albert Park – with no championship points on offer – Rogers is treating the occasion as a springboard for the remainder of the 2014 season.

Impressive: Scott McLaughlin gives Volvo a flying start in the first round of the V8 Supercars season in Adelaide. Photo: Getty Images

It is also a chance to hit back at those who have questioned the team's speed at the season-opening race in Adelaide. Following Volvo's strong debut, V8 Supercar organisers have assembled a new technical group to ensure all the cars are aerodynamically even.

The new seven-man panel will examine the five cars now competing in the sport and is expected to conduct a mid-season parity test.

The move comes amid discontent in the V8 paddock about the Volvo's pace. But Rogers is unconcerned by his rivals' unhappiness and said Volvo's strong pace was down to hard work.

“With no disrespect to anyone, we’ve got the same rulebook as every other team,” Rogers said.

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“I keep saying it but I’ve got a great, intelligent crew. I think my guys did a fantastic job during the first round; better than the other teams, that’s what the raw car speed came down to.”

The four-day outing at Albert Park will act as valuable testing time before the Tasman 400 event at Symmons Plains from March 28 to 30 – the second points-scoring round of the V8s championship.

“We will be giving it our very best shot, we’ve got the car speed and we want to get the jump on the rest of the teams because it will only be a matter of time before they start catching up,” Rogers said.

Volvo have entered V8 racing this year with a two-car factory squad run by Rogers, a long-time Holden team owner. It is the third new make, joining last year’s newcomers Nissan and Mercedes-Benz alongside traditional rivals Ford and Holden.

Kiwi sensation Scott McLaughlin scored Volvo their first podium this month in Adelaide, edging out five-time champion Jamie Whincup and his Triple Eight Holden to second in a dramatic finish to race two.

Twenty-year-old McLaughlin finished the weekend with a seventh and a non-finish in the other two races, landing him 15th position in the overall standings. His teammate Robert Dahlgren didn’t fare as well, with a best result of 21st, and sits in 24th position on the points tally.

The promising results came despite the Volvo undertaking just a single day of track running with its complete bodywork and engine package before the event.

“I’m sure we’ll see Scott build on his early-season form and Dahlgren will continue to develop speed with more time at the wheel,” Rogers said of the Melbourne outing.

“You’ve got to remember Dahlgren had not even sat in the car until a press day at Eastern Creek a couple of weeks ago. He’s coming along well.”